Poster Frames and How to Use Them

Just bought some great posters and considering how you're going to hang them up on the wall? If you paid good money for this poster, or really don't want it to get messed up, tape is probably not the best option. Tape tends to come undone anyway, leaving your poster flapping against the wall. More permanent solutions such as strong adhesive pads are going to rip your poster up whenever you need to take it down.

Perhaps the best solution for a valuable poster are poster frames. Poster frames are easier to hang up, add class to a poster, and protect the poster from damage both when taking it down and from anything else that might happen. Poster outlets carry a wide variety of poster frames in different dimensions, and if you can't find what you need at an art supply store, there are internet vendors that specialize in rarer sizes.

In addition to sizing issues, you also have the choice of materials with poster frames. Poster frames can be found in polymer, metal, wood, and in different colors. Once what you'd like your poster frame to be made of and what color it should be, it's time to measure out your poster. Needless to say, it's important that you measure out the poster as carefully as you can to avoid getting the wrong size frame.

Measure your poster edge to edge when determining a frame size. Keep in mind that the advertised measurements of poster frames are usually referring to the inner dimensions of the poster frames. The size of the poster frames border may vary, but the inner dimensions are what's important for fitting the poster. If you find that the closest size to what you need is not an exact match, you may be able work around the problem.

Whenever there is area between the glass and the poster frames backing that is not covered by the poster, you can use what is known as "matting" to cover it up. Matting is usually a solid color that serves as a border between the frame and whatever is not large enough to fill up the entire area. Matting can work great to add more emphasis to the poster and really set it off.

Most decent poster frames are going to have spring tabs on the back. Spring tabs are easy to open, and allow you to remove the poster. Simply slip the poster in and make sure it's squarely arranged, then push the spring tabs back into place. Poster frames should also come with saw toothed hangers, and may even have them on more than one side so that the poster frames can be hung horizontally or vertically.

In case you are wondering whether poster frames are a good investment or not, it helps to know that poster frames can extend the life of your poster considerably. While some posters are made to last, others are created without any thought to longevity. Movie and rock concert posters especially are made to advertise only one event, and typically are printed on thin paper and with lower quality inks.

Such posters will usually wear and tear easily, their print fading and the edges of the poster fraying. If you have a collectible on your hands, the value drops dramatically as the wear and tear increases. Any accidents such as the poster getting wet or torn can happen quite easily if it is simply hung on the wall.

Although poster frames can get quite expensive, if protection for your poster is all you want, even the simplest plastic poster frames can provide adequate protection for your collectible poster. Some people go as far as to laminate their poster, but this will actually decrease the value of the poster.

Whether you just need a way to protect your valuable poster, or are looking for a way to draw attention to that cool poster you've got, there are a variety of poster frames to suit your needs. If you have rather conventional needs a visit to your local art supply store should be all you need to do. Talk to an employee at the supply store if you are unsure of what to get. If the store should not have what you need, the internet is thriving with options for poster frames.